Have you ever wondered why we always protect our valuables that have a physical existence, yet we never care about our personal information online? We keep our jewelry in a safe, we keep our money in banks, but we leave all of our personal data out there for the data breachers. While data breaching is becoming one of the most common issues of this decade.
If we were to ask you that while introducing to a strange person, would you be comfortable telling them your address, phone number, and e-mail address along with your name? Your answer to this silly question would probably be no. However, why do we put such information about us on the internet, and why don’t we feel uncomfortable giving such sensitive information to well-known companies?
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The Definition of Data Protection
The practice of taking necessary actions to protect your data from attackers is known as data protection. It is a fundamental thing that everyone should know about, especially in this modern day and age. Governments of different countries have started to understand this problem. They are now guiding their citizens by spreading awareness, as making people aware can stop them from becoming the next victim. Therefore, it is necessary for every individual to understand the necessity of data protection and save themselves and their loved ones from data breaches.
The Importance of Data Protection
Our phone numbers, home and work addresses, e-mail address, occupational details, health, bank and family information, pictures, and videos are all our personal information. Unauthorized access to any of these things is called data breaching. Unfortunately, almost every one of us is the victim of data breaching at least at some point in life. Some of us suffer small losses due to it, and others have to go through a lot. The solution to data breaches is data protection. Here, we have listed a few reasons why data protection is necessary for every individual:
1. Saves From Identity Theft
Protecting your data can save you from identity theft. It is a common problem that many people have to face. It can be quite scary, as it possesses a threat to one’s reputation and finances.
Pro tip: Sometimes, it is easy to catch a person who has stolen someone’s identity. You can use Nuwber to check the identity of people you find suspicious. Enter their name or phone number, see what details come up. Do they match with what you already know about this person?
2. Selling Data To Third Parties
Did you know that big online companies have admitted that they sell your data to third parties for marketing purposes? It is the very reason why advertisements of relevant products appear on your Facebook and Instagram newsfeed. We often tend to ignore this, but it can have worse consequences than we can imagine. Therefore, putting all your personal choices and preferences on social media accounts is not the best idea.
3. Robbing Of Money
Threatening is one of the most common tactics that data breachers use to rob people of their money. What they do is intimidate people to give them a handsome amount in exchange for the privacy of their personal information or pictures. It can be quite a nerve-racking experience, to say the least. However, reporting the matter to the police is the best option if it happens.
4. Death Threats
Sometimes, not protecting your data can lead to getting death threats. Data breachers usually do it in the greed of money. However, they may also do it to make you do something illegal or incriminating, or they may do it to seek revenge. If you are someone who has been getting threats then be sure to report it to the police. Remember that one should never take such threats lightly.
5. Mental Peace
If you are aware that all your information is visible to anyone who wants to see it, there is a chance that you are worried about it. So, not putting any of your personal data or pictures and videos online or not sharing them with someone you cannot trust is an excellent idea. It will help you to remain carefree from the tension of being attacked.
A Few Tips and Tricks to Protect Your Data
Now when you know the benefits of protecting your data, let us give you a few tips and tricks on how you can do it.
1. Don’t Throw Away Your Receipts
Almost all of us throw away our bank statements, grocery receipts, bills, and invoices into the dustbin. However, it is not smart of us to do that. It is because such documents have our sensitive information, and throwing them means risking the privacy of that information. Therefore, one must make sure to tear such papers and destroy them properly before throwing out.
2. Don’t Leave Any Of Your Information On Social Media Accounts
One must never leave their personal information on their social media because anyone can use it against them. Even leaving your opinions about different places and things should be avoided.
3. Having Strong Passwords
People always tend to keep weaker passwords because they are easy to memorize. While that indeed is true, cracking weaker passwords is also easier for hackers. Once hackers get access to your account, they can steal your personal information from there.
4. Stay Safe While Browsing The Internet
Clicking a suspicious link is one of the worst things that a person can do for themself. Most of the time, such links are malicious and can assist in getting your data stolen. Therefore, one must never click a link or download a file that is from an unknown source.
A quick tip: Downloading anti-virus software on your computer can guarantee the protection of your data to some extent. It may also warn you against suspicious links and attachments.
